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Barbara was first entangled with Batman's affairs when a renegade artificial intelligence machine, H.A.R.D.A.C.,[1] tried to replace the most influential citizens of Gotham City, such as James Gordon, Mayor Hamilton Hill, and Detective Harvey Bullock. Barbara was one of the few people who initially felt something had happened. Using a few skills she picked up from her father and her experience a a gymnast while at Gotham University, Barbara managed to help Batman save the city from H.A.R.D.A.C.[2]

Barbara was then seen when her father was shot by Jazzman on the anniversary of the death of Bruce Wayne's parents. A sorrowful Batman visits Gordon in Gotham City Hospital, where Barbara tells him not to blame himself. Batman takes heart and captures Jazzman, while Gordon recovers.[3]

When Commissioner Gordon was framed by Two-Face, Barbara donned a bat costume to help investigate. She did, however, find that the costume fit her better than she had anticipated, as she proved vital in clearing Gordon's name and capturing Two-Face along with his associates. Regardless of whether they agreed or not, Batman and Robin soon realized that they had a new ally in the form of Batgirl.[4][5]

Barbara was also revealed to be the only organ donor (either living or dead) to Nora Fries, Mr. Freeze's wife, and she was kidnapped as a result. However, Dick Grayson was present during the subsequent kidnapping, and though he was unsuccessful in saving Barbara, he was well aware of Freeze's scheme. Batman and Robin managed to interrupt the operation before it took place however. The fight that followed caused Freeze's lair to explode. Batman, Robin, and Barbara were able to evacuate Nora and Freeze's Inuit ward Koonak in time, but Freeze had fallen into the fiery blast and was assumed dead. In actuality, he and his pet polar bears had survived. Back in Gotham, Nora was cured, much to Freeze's delight.